K
Kathryn_Ann
Guest
Thank you so much for this forum.
A heart condition (arrhythmia) and dizziness due to some balance problems, makes it very difficult for me to kneel and stand during Mass as I would love to. I feel especially sad if I cannot stand when the Gospel is being read. Last Sunday I did my best, but almost fainted. Sitting during The Peace also presents some awkward moments.
Is is considered wrong for me to sit during the Gospel or to remain seated when others stand and kneel, if it is due to illness? I worry that it looks disrespectful. I can walk to receive Holy Communion, but because I am not elderly, do not use a cane, and appear to be fit, I worry about offending people who don’t know of my condition. I sometimes feel I should sit in the last pew so that I won’t cause any misunderstandings. When I’ve done my best to do all the standing and kneeling, I nearly pass out, and that would of course cause more trouble.
I would be grateful to know the Church’s teaching on this.
In Christ’s love,
Kathryn Ann
A heart condition (arrhythmia) and dizziness due to some balance problems, makes it very difficult for me to kneel and stand during Mass as I would love to. I feel especially sad if I cannot stand when the Gospel is being read. Last Sunday I did my best, but almost fainted. Sitting during The Peace also presents some awkward moments.
Is is considered wrong for me to sit during the Gospel or to remain seated when others stand and kneel, if it is due to illness? I worry that it looks disrespectful. I can walk to receive Holy Communion, but because I am not elderly, do not use a cane, and appear to be fit, I worry about offending people who don’t know of my condition. I sometimes feel I should sit in the last pew so that I won’t cause any misunderstandings. When I’ve done my best to do all the standing and kneeling, I nearly pass out, and that would of course cause more trouble.
I would be grateful to know the Church’s teaching on this.
In Christ’s love,
Kathryn Ann